Australia Telescope User Committee report
The second Australia Telescope User Committee (ATUC) meeting for 2000 was held at the ATNF headquarters, Marsfield, on 26 and 27 October 2000. There were 13 members in attendance and the meeting was chaired by Dr. Anne Green.
Appreciation was expressed for the contribution of the outgoing Secretary of the past two years, Dr. Baerbel Koribalski, and a warm welcome was extended to six new members:
Mr. Vince McIntyre (incoming Secretary); Dr. David Barnes; Dr. Simon Ellingson; Dr. Carole Jackson; and student representatives Ms. Hayley Bignall and Mr. Eric Muller
An open session was held on 26 October and included reports from the ATNF Director and the Observatory Managers, as well as updates on all developments pertaining to the ATUC. A formal business session was held on 27 October. Some of the highlights from the discussions were:
(1) ATUC was very pleased with the progress of the outreach program, and congratulates ATNF on the establishment of the graduate student program and the research scholarships. We continue to encourage an increased profile and public awareness for ATNF achievements, in both scientific and technological areas;
(2) ATUC strongly endorses ATNF support for institutional researchers, with co-operative programs, joint funding and improved accommodation in Marsfield. It is suggested that the next synthesis imaging school be held in Narrrabri, in September 2001;
(3) Key Performance Indicators are now required for all areas of ATNF operations and some statistics were submitted for ATUC, based on the status of recommendations made to the ATNF management over the previous 12 months. Items were categorised as successfully completed, in progress, or not done, and this gives a measure of the effectiveness of ATUC in influencing ATNF policy decisions;
(4) Several items dealt with specific issues connected with the efficiency and quality of observing. Positive feedback was given to both the AIPS++ development team and those responsible for web-based information and tools. The outsourcing of IT support was viewed negatively;
In total, 16 recommendations were made in the report presented to the Director at the end of the meeting. The full agenda and report of this ATUC meeting and those from previous years can be found on the web at http://www.atnf.csiro.au/overview/atuc.
The next ATUC Meeting will be held 19 - 20 March 2001 at the RP Laboratory Epping.
Anne Green, University of Sydney
Chair, ATUC
(agreen@physics.usyd.edu.au)